May 01, 2011

Worst run EVER

Yesterday I did my last long run before my half-marathon next weekend. I was scheduled to do 12 miles. I mapped out the route before I went--drove to a park and left the car for an out and back run. My husband and kids went with me, and they played at the park while I did my run.

It was, by far, the WORST run I've ever had.

Maybe because I was on vacation and eating and drinking like shit all week? I don't know. My legs felt like lead, and right off the bat I was running a very slow pace of about 10:00/mi. I wanted to keep my heart rate between 158-160, but to get that rate, I had to run a slower and slower pace.

I only drank 16 oz of water before I left, because I hate feeling like I have to pee on a run. Normally, I hydrate really well the day before I run, but since I was riding home from Tennessee, I didn't drink much water Friday.

By mile 4 or 5, I was DYING for water. I was seriously looking at the side of the road for a bottle with some water in it. I had brought 4 dates with me to eat for fuel, but I've never eaten on a run before, so I wasn't sure how it would do in my stomach.

I reached mile 6 and turned around, and just when I got to mile 7, I was passing a bar/saloon. I was so thirsty that I didn't care how ridiculous I looked going in there to ask for water. I had no money with me, and when I stepped in the five men sitting at the bar stopped and stared. It was dead silent.

I said to the (female) bartender, "I'm so sorry to bother you, but could I trouble you for a small cup of water?" She looked pitifully at me and said, "How about a cold bottle of water?"  I told her I didn't have any money, and she told me not to worry about it. One of the men said that he was tired and thirsty just LOOKING at me. I gulped down the entire bottle and thanked her. I told her I'd be back with some money, and she assured me it wasn't necessary.

After that, my stomach started cramping REALLY badly. Have you ever heard of "runner's trots"? I've had it once or twice, but not in a long time. It's awful. My stomach hurt so badly. I kept shuffling along, wanting the stupid run to be over with. I was really tempted to stop and call my husband to come pick me up, but since this was my last long run before the race next weekend, I needed to prove to myself that I could do it.

I got to the park where the car was parked, and I had to circle the park one time in order to reach 12 miles. At the other end of the park, I just wanted to quit. I was 11 miles in, and didn't give a shit if I reached 12 or not.

I saw my husband start to drive toward me from the other end of the park, and I almost cried with relief. Then I realized he was just turning the car around and backing into the parking space to be ready to leave. At 11.6 miles, I realized I could keep going on the trail to reach the car and finish the 12 miles, or I could cut across the grass. I cut across the grass and reached the car at 11.7.

I was doubled over from the cramps in my stomach. We stopped at a gas station for some Gatorade (I thought maybe replenishing my electrolytes would help with the cramping).

Then we stopped at the saloon so I could give them a couple of dollars.  They insisted that they didn't want the money, and then told me to help myself to a bunch of bread and Entenmann's baked goods sitting on a table. There were probably about 30 loaves of bread, 5-6 cakes, and about 8 boxes of donuts (none of them were expired--they said a friend who works for a bread company had excess).

They insisted, and not wanting to be rude, I took a loaf of bread and a box of donuts for my kids. Totally unexpected, but pretty cool!

I got home and spent the whole afternoon in the bathroom. I don't know if it was dehydration or the dates I ate or what... but good GRIEF, it was miserable.  I'm worried about the half-marathon on Saturday. I don't know if I should bring any fuel with me or not. I will make sure to hydrate really well though.

Yesterday, as we were going on the door, my husband dropped my Sigg water bottle and put a huge dent in the side of it. I was kind of bummed, until I realized that I could design my own Sigg bottle on Cafe Press!  I browsed through all the running designs, and then decided to create my own. It was SUPER expensive, though. I paid $20 for my last Sigg bottle (at Target) and designing my own cost me $35 after shipping. Yikes! But I think it's cute.


5 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear your run was so shit....hopefully that great experience at the bar balanced it out though.....that was sooooo nice of the bartender.

    ps. your Sigg bottle is super cute

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  2. LOVE reading your blog. That story of your disastrous run was great--I really truly felt your pain! Those people in that bar probably woulnd't have given you free bottles of water OR baked good, had you gone in there when you weighed 250. Funny what kind of reaction a pretty girl gets! Unfair, but fat bias still exists in America!
    I bet you did get dehydrated. You have done the walk/run when you were double (or close to) what you weight now, so you know you can do it. I know you wanted to run it this time...so be sure and drink lots the day before this time. You'll do great...cause you're SLIM KATIE! Love ya!!
    Pam/Maggierosebowl

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  3. Hi Katie,
    I followed you over here from Sparkpeople (I'm Poohla711)
    A couple tips on how to deal with the "runner's trots": I'm sure you already know that you need to be hydrated. Make sure you drink tons of water the day before the race and before. And, with running any longer than 30 minutes, you should bring water/gatorade with you. I finally bit the bullet and bought a hydration pack that has a slot with a water bottle and a zippy pouch for food. It really makes a difference. At your race, make sure you stop at all of the aid stations to get water or gatorade.
    Also, before a race I usually take a half dose of Immodium to help prevent the trots...
    Great for you on getting through the run! You are going to rock your half marathon!

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  4. Ahhhhhhhhhhh! My 15 mile run Friday was equally as shitty. Hmph. Must be something in the water. (Hydration pun intended! lmao) My issues were not water related...but skin/chafing/blister related. OUCH! I called it quits at the 14.5 mile mark, and walked the rest of the way home in pain. Nice. But you know what? We both did it. Did you ever think you would be writing about a shitty 12 mile run back before you lost weight? I know I didn't. :)

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  5. That's incredible dedication! Thanks for the inspiration! I'm just trying to run a 5k straight, without stopping, but everyone has to start somewhere and your blog really shows what's possible if you're willing to work for it. Thanks!!.

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